UNIT-I
ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY
PART – A
1. What is meant by ecology?
Ecology is study of interactions among organisms or group of organisms with their
environment.
2. What is meant by ecosystem?
A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with environment.
...
GE 6351 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING V Semester ECE
UNIT-I
ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY
PART – A
1. What is meant by ecology?
Ecology is study of interactions among organisms or group of organisms with their
environment.
2. What is meant by ecosystem?
A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with environment.
3. List various types of ecosystem.
Forest ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, desert ecosystem and lake ecosystem.
4. List out the structural components of ecosystem.
The structural components of ecosystem are
i. Biotic components
ii. Abiotic components
5. What is meant by primary production?
The conversion of radiant energy into organic substances during photosynthesis
by the primary producers.
6. List out the characteristics of desert ecosystem.
1) The desert air is dry and the climate is hot
2) Annual rain fall is less than 25cm.
3) Vegetation is poor.
7. Distinguish between food chain and food web.
Food chain Food web
The sequence of eating and being eaten The interlocking pattern of various food
in an ecosystem. chains in an ecosystem.
8. What is meant by food web?
The interlocking pattern of various food chains in an ecosystem is known as food
web.
9. What is meant by food chain?
The sequence of eating and being eaten in an ecosystem is known as food chains.
10. What is meant by ecological pyramid?
The graphical representation of structures and functions of tropic levels of an
ecosystem.
Prepared By A.Devasena ., Associate Professor.,/ Dept of ECE Page 1
,GE 6351 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING V Semester ECE
11. State the significance of ecological pyramid.
In ecological pyramid, producer level forms the base and successive levels form
tiers which make up the apex.
12. What is meant by tropic level?
The various steps through which food energy passes in an ecosystem is called tropic
level.
13. What is meant by water cycle?
The movement of water in a cyclic manner is known as water cycle.
14. What is meant by biogeochemical cycle?
The cyclic flow of nutrients between the biotic and abiotic components is known as
biogeochemical cycle.
15. What is meant by ecological succession? (Nov./ Dec 2013)
Ecological succession is the progressive replacement of one community by another
till the development of stable community in a particular area. Each new community that
arises often makes it harder
16. List out the types of ecological succession.
1) Primary succession
2) Secondary succession
17. What is meant by biodiversity?
The variety and variability among all groups of living organisms and the
ecosystem in which they occur.
18. State the necessity to conserve biodiversity.
It is necessary to conserve biodiversity to preserve the genetic diversity of plants
and animals.
19. What is meant by ecosystem diversity?
The diversity at the ecological or habitat level is known as ecosystem diversity.
20. What is meant by hotspots of biodiversity?
The hotspots are geographic areas which posses the high endemic species.
21. List out the reasons to justify India as a great spot of biodiversity.
India is one among the 12 mega diversity countries in the world. It has 89,450
animal species accounting for 7.31% of the faunal species and 47,000 plant species
which accounts for 10.8% of the world floral species.
Prepared By A.Devasena ., Associate Professor.,/ Dept of ECE Page 2
, GE 6351 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING V Semester ECE
22. State the threats to biodiversity.
A species is said to be threatened, when its number has been reduced to a critical
level.
23. Distinguish between biodiversity and ecosystem biodiversity.
Biodiversity Ecosystem biodiversity
The variety and variability among all The diversity at the ecological or habitat
groups of living organisms. level.
24. What is meant by endemism?
The species, which are found only in a particular region are known as endemism.
25. What is meant by endangered species?
A species is said to be endangered, when its number has been reduced to a critical
level.
26. List out the aesthetic values of biodiversity.
The aesthetic values of biodiversity are eco tourism (colour of butterfly, music of
wild birds, colour of flowers, and colour of peacocks).
27. State any two methods to conserve biodiversity.
In-situ and Ex-situ are the two methods to conserve biodiversity.
28. State the bio geographical classification of India.
Himalayan mountain, desert, semi arid, Western Ghats and genetic plain.
29. Is environment is static or dynamic? Mention the two major components of the
environment. ( Nov/ Dec 2009)
The environment is dynamic in nature that means it has changing surroundings. The major
components of the environment are
Biotic components
Abiotic components.
30. Explain biosphere. ( Nov/Dec 2005)
Biosphere is defined as the part of the earth’s crust, water and atmosphere that supports
life. It is the ecosystem comprising the entire earth and the living organism that inhabit it.
31. Define habitat. Give two examples. ( Nov/ Dec 2009)
Habitat is defined as the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally lives and
grows. Forest, desert, freshwater are some of the examples of habitat.
Prepared By A.Devasena ., Associate Professor.,/ Dept of ECE Page 3
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